Washington Security Deposit Laws

Washington Security Deposit Limit

No state limit is in effect restricting how much money can be collected for security. However, the lease must state why all or a portion of the deposit may be withheld and if any fees are nonrefundable (like a pet deposit). The landlord must also provide a receipt with the name and location of the bank holding the deposit and a written statement describing the current condition of the property and any furnishings before or at the time of moving in. Single-family home leases of 12 months or longer are exempt from these requirements as well as any tenants that are also employees of the landlord (such as an onsite property manager).

Deadline for Returning Security Deposit

The amount of time allowed for returning a deposit after a tenant moves out is only 14 days in Washington state.